Chelsea head into their London derby against Arsenal with João Pedro calling for focus, intensity and belief. The forward spoke to Brazilian outlet Globo Esporte ahead of the decisive clash, with Chelsea trailing by one goal.
“The expectation is always high. It is a London derby,” João Pedro said. “I think both them and us will go into the game to win, regardless of the last result.”
He acknowledged the task ahead and the physical demands of the tie. “Of course we have to run a bit more because we are one goal down,” he added. “But I believe it will be a great game, a great spectacle, and may the best team win.”
Asked about contact with Arsenal’s Brazilian players, João Pedro downplayed any interaction before the match. Respect remains, but rivalry comes first.
“When it is match week here, we do not talk that much, because we know the rivalry that exists on the pitch,” he said. “I believe talking is already too much (laughs). No bets. Maybe some jokes in the warm-up or in the tunnel, but for now, nothing.”
One game at a time
Beyond the derby, João Pedro was asked about Chelsea’s schedule and the possibility of facing Paris Saint-Germain again in the Champions League.
The forward stressed that the squad is avoiding distractions. “I take it one day at a time,” he explained. “Of course I have seen the draw and the possibility of facing PSG again, but I believe everyone in the team is very calm.”
For now, his focus remains clear. “Tomorrow we have another important game against Arsenal. We live one day at a time,” he said, while also pointing to the need for more consistency in domestic competition.
Goals, difficulty and surprise
Only then João Pedro was asked to reflect on his most special goals for Chelsea, including strikes against Fluminense, PSG and Napoli.
“Choosing one is a bit complicated,” he admitted. “All the goals I put in my top three have their own importance.”
Still, he singled out the Napoli goal as the toughest. “The goal against Napoli was certainly the hardest,” he said. “It was from outside the box and with my non-dominant foot.”
According to João Pedro, the element of surprise made the difference. “I really believe nobody expected it,” he added. “That is what the position is about. Sometimes you have to surprise the defender and the goalkeeper. This time, I surprised everyone.”
For Chelsea, though, the message remains consistent. Arsenal comes first. Everything else can wait.